Follower for brine-barrels



(No Model.)

O. E. WEST. FOLLOWER FOR BRINE BARRELS.

No. 526,474. Patented Sept. 25, 1894 {A MM, aw.

tain novel construction and combination of UNITED STATES PATENT OFFicE.

CHARLES 1+3. wEsT, OF SANTA CRUZ, CALIFORNIA.

FOL-LOWER FO R BRIN E BARRELS SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 526,474, dated September 25, 1894. Application filed March 19, 1894.. Serial No. 504,309- (No model.)

.To all whom it may concern:

. city and county of Santa Cruz, State of California, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Followers for Brine-Barrels, of which the following is a specification.

ThlS invention relates to improvements made in followers for holding meat, pickles and other articles and substances submerged in brine; and the invention consists in cerparts producing an improved locking device for barrel-followers of this kind or description, 1n which simplicity of parts, durability and low cost of manufacture are attained in a high degree.

The following description explains the nature of my said improvement and the manner in which I have constructed and produced the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming part of this specificatlon, 1n which- Figure 1 is a plan or top-viewof the follower with thelocking-dogs set out to penetrate the sides of the barrel. Fig. 2 is a side view of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a perspective-view of the dogs and other parts of the mechanism removed from the follower and in their relative positions.

A- indicates a barrel-follower of circular form and of ordinary construction.

.B- is a heavy batten, or strip, fixed by screws across the top of the follower in the middle, and extending from one side to the other. On this piece is mounted all the parts of the locking mechanism consisting of the hand-lever --O, the locking dogs -E- and the slotted guide-plates -F.

The lever -O is formed with a handle portion on one end a center-post or fulcrumpinC and on opposite sides and equidistant from the fulcrum pin two studs D D these parts being cast all together in one piece.

The fulcrum-pin -O is somewhat longer and heavier than the studs, and is fitted to a socket bored in the piece -B, while the studs are fitted to eyes formed on the inner ends of the dogs -E.

Over the center or fulcrum-point of the lever --O and after it is set into position with the dogs connected to the stud --D, there is fixed a strap or loop -G-- in diagonal position and of such shape that it forms both a handle to the follower and a means to confine the hand-lever in working position.

i The upright side-bars of the part --G are of such length that when it is screwed down in place its horizontal strap or handle portion sets sufficiently close to the top of the lever C to prevent the fulcrum-pin O*- of that part from being drawn out of its socket under a vertical movement of the lever. In this manner the parts are held together without the aid of screw-threads and nuts or locking-pins on the studs and f ulcrum-pin, so that the cost of construction is materially reduced, with corresponding increase in the durability thereof.

The outer ends E of the dogs are pointed and are helddown in working position by the slotted guide-plates --F that are fixed in upright position against the ends of the top piece -.B before described. Each plate F is slotted, as shown in Fig. 3, to allow limited perpendicular movement of? the pointed end of the dog, and on the under side of the dog from the pointed end backward a short distance is formed a number of ratchet teeth E'- either by cutting or by casting them on that piece. These teeth bear on the bottom edge of the slot in the plate --F- and by engaging them as the dog is thrust forward the edge of the slot acts to hold the dog from slipping backward when the hand-lever -C is released.

Sufficient vertical play of the dog is afforded by the shape of the slot to permit the teeth to clear the lower edge of the slot when the dog is to be drawn back. p

In the operation of this locking mechanism it will be seen that the upward pressure of the confined substances under the follower when it is crowded down in the barrel and when the points of the dogs are thrust out will press up the bottom-edge of the slot before mentioned into the teeth or notches on the dog; and, on the other hand, alittle downward pressure on the part of the operator upon the top of the follower just at the time the hand-lever O- is moved will be sufficient to throw the notches clear of the slotin the operation of raising the follower.

Thehandle G is setin diagonal position overt-he 1ever"O-"for the purpose of'fforming a stop to limit the throw of the lever in that direction in which it moves in drawing back the dogs. Without thisstop the handlever could be moved over to the left so far that the points of "the dogs would leave the' guide-plate F.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new therein, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

The combination with the barrel follower ,1' A, of the hand-lever 0 having a handle port ;ion-,-a center'pi'n C andstu'ds 111 the dogs E E each I having an "eye onth'e inner-end fi t; ted to the studs D, a pointed outer end It and provided with ratchet teeth on the lower side near the point, the slotted guide plate F Fand the fixed strap-G, substantially as herein'before setforth.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing I have hereunto set my hand and seal. 

